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BUSINESS Invisible Hazards: Advanced Dust Control Dust Control Dairy’s Green Leap: Profiting from Sustainability Dairy Industry How Smart Handling Builds a Resilient Food Supply Chain Materials Handling september 2025 • Issue 22 Machinery & Equipment Machinery & Equipment foodandbeverage.businessCompany Name Address Phone Website 100 Words Logo on Map Marker & Listing Page Company Name Motto / Tag Line Address Phone Whatsapp Email Website Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Youtube Instagram Youtube Video 10 Images 1,000 Words Logo on Map Marker & Listing Page Company Name Motto / Tag Line Address Phone Whatsapp Email Website Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Youtube Instagram Youtube Video 10 Images 1,000 Words On Homepage and at top of each Category listing We’re super excited to finally tell you about all these epic features we’ve worked on during the last months. We have launched a FREESTANDARD PREMIUM foodandbeverage.business/directory12 04 16 20 32 36 20 materials handling 24 dairy industry CONTENTS 16 dust control 28 machinery & equipment FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 03 Editorial: editorial-ukeurope@foodandbeverage.business Sales: sales@foodandbeverage.business Finance & Admin: accounts@foodandbeverage.business Design: studio@foodandbeverage.business Where you see a QR code, it will take you to a longer version of that printed piece. News Everything that has been going on in the Food & Beverage sector this month Import & Export From the ancient spice routes to modern refrigerated freight, the trade corridor between the UK and the Middle East has always been rich in flavour. dust control A single airborne allergen can set off a multi- million-pound recall. A spark in a tired dust collector can halt production for weeks. In food and beverage manufacturing, what you can’t see can hurt you — and hurt fast. Materials handling In the modern food and drink industry, the ability to move ingredients and finished products safely, quickly, and efficiently has become a strategic imperative. Materials handling, once treated as a background function, now sits at the heart of operational performance. dairy industry In a sector long scrutinised for its environmental footprint, the dairy industry is undergoing a transformation that reaches beyond compliance and into strategy. From greenhouse gas reductions and regenerative agriculture to smarter processing systems and packaging redesign, sustainability has become more than a moral imperative—it’s a competitive advantage. machinery & equipment In the fast-evolving world of food and beverage manufacturing, machinery has become more than the engine of production. It is now the intelligent core of the operation—capable of analysing, adapting, and optimising in real time. vision, inspection & detection Food recalls cost companies millions each year, not only in direct costs but also in reputational damage that can take years to rebuild. In such a high-stakes environment, the margin for error in food and drink production is razor-thin. events guide Everything that has been going on in the Food & Beverage sector this month 24 2804 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE Arla Urges Government Action to Address Farm Labor Shortages in the UK Dairy giant Arla Foods urgently seeks government support to tackle the critical shortage of qualified workers in the UK farming sector. Bas Padberg, the managing director for Arla in the UK, issued a stark warning about potential food shortages and increased prices unless immediate action is taken. “Farmers are responsible for feeding a nation with over 98% of people having milk in their fridge. What we’re seeing is the real impact of these workforce shortages on our farming industry, whether that’s in higher costs or lower milk production,” Padberg stated today (13 August). “The effect of this is ultimately going to be seen in the price and availability of products on supermarket shelves, affecting millions who rely on dairy as a key source of nutrition in their daily diet.” Glanbia has reported a 6% increase in group revenues, reaching $1.93 billion, compared to $1.82 billion in HY 2024. This growth stems from uplifts in volume (0.9%), pricing (3.4%), and acquisitions (1.7%). However, EBITDA pre-exceptional has declined to $241.3 million, representing a 7.5% decrease. CEO Hugh McGuire noted that both the Health & Nutrition (H&N) and Dairy Nutrition (DN) businesses, the latter now operating independently, are gaining momentum. “First half results were driven by volume growth, earnings, and margin progression in H&N and DN, reflecting strong customer demand. This was offset by anticipated reduced performance in PN [Performance Nutrition] primarily as a result of elevated whey costs during the period,” he explained. GLANBIA DIVESTS ONLINE SPORTS NUTRITION DIVISION AND ACQUIRES INGREDIENTS COMPANY NEWS Beyond Meat has engaged an external adviser to revitalize its struggling alternative meat business, as the company faces a notable decline in sales alongside workforce reductions. Recent reports indicate that the California-based supplier of alternative proteins plans to remove “meat” from its corporate title, signifying a shift away from imitating animal-derived products. In conjunction with this strategy, Beyond Meat has appointed an interim chief transformation officer. John Boken from consultancy AlixPartners took on this role on August 6, bringing with him valuable corporate turnaround and restructuring experience, as detailed in the company’s second-quarter filings. The latest financial results reflected a further decline in revenue during the three months ending June 28. Notably, the only sector showing growth was foodservice in the U.S., while both U.S. and international retail sales, as well as the out-of- home category internationally, fell significantly. Beyond Meat Brings in External Advisor to Support Turnaround StrategyFOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 05 Hoffmann Family of Companies Acquires U.S. Chocolate Manufacturer Elmer Private-equity investor Hoffmann Family of Companies has acquired a controlling interest in Elmer Chocolate, a notable player in the food and beverage industry. While the financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, the acquisition allows Louisiana-based Elmer to continue operating under the direction of third- generation family members, Rob and Michael Nelson. They will maintain “partial” ownership and engage actively in the company’s management. This strategic partnership is designed to expand Elmer’s year-round offerings, aligning well with current consumer trends in the food and drink business. Known for its Celebrate with Chocolate Valentine’s Day assortments, Elmer boasts sales of over 40 million assorted chocolate hearts annually across North America. Finsbury Food Group Acquires 70% Stake in Bakery Brand Lola’s Finsbury’s recent acquisition marks its inaugural entry into the direct-to-consumer market. This strategic move aims to expand on Lola’s robust e-commerce platform, which already contributes to half of its sales. Lola’s boasts a network of 45 kiosks and collection lockers situated in high-traffic areas, such as transport hubs. The business generates impressive annual revenues of £25 million and employs a workforce of 400 staff members. Asher Budwig will continue in his role as managing director, a confirmation from Finsbury indicates. For Finsbury, this acquisition is a crucial element of its long-term growth strategy. It includes targeted investments in high- growth segments of the bakery market. This deal follows Finsbury’s recent acquisition of confectionery and meringue producer Lees Foods Ltd in 2023. “Today marks an exciting milestone in the trajectory of Finsbury Food Group as we welcome Lola’s into the family,” stated John Duffy, chief executive of Finsbury Food Group. SALMON SURVIVAL RATES BOOST DOMESTIC SALES Trade body Salmon Scotland has reported a notable increase in overall salmon farm survival rates, rising by an impressive 10% year- on-year. This enhancement has led to a significant uptick in domestic salmon sales, benefiting consumers and the industry alike. From January to June 2024, monthly salmon survival rates averaged an outstanding 99.12%. Salmon Scotland attributes this achievement to “continued improvements in fish health and environmental conditions.” Such advancements contribute positively to the sustainability of salmon farming practices across Scotland. NEWSKorozo Group Unveils Eco-Friendly Packaging Innovations at FachPack 2025 Korozo Group, an international leader in flexible packaging solutions, is set to present its innovative and sustainable food and drink packaging options at FachPack 2025. This event highlights Korozo’s commitment to meeting the evolving demands of the packaging industry. FachPack 2025 will be held from September 23-25 in Nürnberg, Germany. At Hall 4, Stand 343, Korozo will showcase its diverse packaging offerings aimed at proteins, confectionery, bakery items, frozen foods, and snacks. The company is particularly focusing on packaging solutions for meat, fish, dairy, and other protein products. Kemal Yurum, Protein Segment Market Manager at Korozo, emphasized: “The appetite of consumers for meat, fish, and dairy products in Europe and around the world continues to grow.” 06 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE Premier Foods Set to Acquire Merchant Gourmet for £48 Million Premier Foods has announced a decisive deal to acquire 100% of Merchant Gourmet’s shares on a cash and debt-free basis, with the transaction slated for completion on 1 September 2025. This strategic move signals Premier Foods’ commitment to expanding its market influence in the food manufacturing sector. Merchant Gourmet has experienced impressive double-digit growth over the past two years and is anticipated to be earnings accretive in its first full year under new ownership. This growth trajectory showcases the brand’s robust positioning in the evolving food landscape. Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs in Wales, has acknowledged the industry’s concerns regarding the risks arising from the lack of a unified approach across the UK. This situation could significantly impact food and drink sustainability efforts, as well as sustainable packaging initiatives. “We have heard clearly from industry that the scenario where a scheme is introduced in the other parts of the UK, with no scheme in place in Wales, carries the greatest risk of operational complexity and associated costs.” In light of these concerns, she emphasized her commitment to aligning Wales’ implementation timetable with the rest of the UK. This alignment would facilitate interoperability between common materials, ensuring a cohesive approach to food and drink packaging across the regions. NEWSFOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 07 TIFFIN SANDWICHES PURCHASES LOVE BITES, PLANS SIGNIFICANT REVAMP The food-to-go manufacturer Tiffin has announced plans to significantly invest in the Love Bites site, which boasts a 10,000 sq ft factory. This strategic investment aims to enhance production capabilities while emphasizing sustainability. Tiffin’s focus will be on modernizing the machinery and infrastructure at the Love Bites facility. The upgrades aim to streamline operations, ensuring efficient production that aligns with the company’s environmentally friendly practices. “The investment is designed to foster a culture of sustainability, aligning with our vision for responsible business practices,” the company stated. NEWS Mondelēz and Tesco Replace Cadbury Crunchie Plastic Overwrap with Sticker As part of an innovative test-and-learn initiative set to continue until early 2026, approximately 1.8 million Cadbury Crunchie Four Bar Multipacks sold at Tesco will transition from plastic overwrap to stickers. This change aims to reduce outer plastic packaging by 60% per pack, reflecting a growing commitment to food and drink sustainability. The newly designed stickers include a QR code that links to an online survey. This allows consumers to share their feedback on the usability and overall experience of the new design. Additionally, the stickers will provide all relevant nutritional and recycling information presently available on existing Cadbury Crunchie multipacks. The insights gathered from this survey will inform Mondelēz International’s future packaging innovations, further emphasizing their global sustainable packaging goals. Huel Acquires eHGV to Enhance Logistics Operations with GXO Huel, a prominent producer of nutritionally complete food products, has made an important stride in enhancing environmental sustainability by acquiring an electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV). Utilized for transporting Huel products from its new manufacturing facility in Milton Keynes to the GXO Wellingborough warehouse, this Renault electric truck is projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 8.5 tonnes annually. From Wellingborough, Huel efficiently ships products directly to consumers through its e-commerce platform while also distributing to major retailers across the UK, such as Tesco, Boots, and Holland & Barrett. For the past six years, GXO, a specialized contract logistics provider, has delivered essential warehousing and transportation services to Huel, contributing significantly to the latter’s business growth.THE MARKET IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION Given the high costs and wide range of products, compact system layouts demonstrate an industrial rethink. According to industry consultants, the take-up of industrial and logistics space in the UK was estimated to be between 22.6 and 28 million square feet in 2024. This reflects a steady increase compared to previous years, amid robust market activity. This provides companies with reason enough to rent cost-effectively and produce accordingly. They are increasingly focusing on space-saving, flexible concepts. ‘Costly tools and lengthy format changes no longer meet the requirements of today’s industry,’ explains Luc Jamet, Product Manager at Gerhard Schubert GmbH. This is particularly evident in the biscuit and baked goods industry. At Schubert, this is evident in machines that erect cartons in a single lane rather than multiple lanes; 60–80 cartons can be erected per minute. Further information: www.schubert. group B&G Foods to Divest Its Remaining Green Giant Business B&G Foods is reportedly poised to divest its remaining Green Giant division before the year concludes, following a revised outlook on sales and EBITDA in light of recent asset sales. In a recent discussion with analysts regarding second-quarter performance, President and CEO Casey Keller highlighted a 4.2% dip in base business sales. “We expect additional divestitures in the future to further focus the portfolio and reduce leverage,” he stated. Keller further elaborated that the company will “continue to evaluate and pursue the potential divestiture of the Green Giant branded business.” In 2023, B&G sold the shelf-stable aspect of the Green Giant brand in the U.S., which primarily consists of canned vegetables. Subsequently, the frozen portfolio in both the U.S. and Canada was put under review in May 2024. DAWN MEATS SET TO ACQUIRE STAKE IN ALLIANCE GROUP Dawn Meats has confirmed its intention to acquire a majority stake in New Zealand’s Alliance Group, pending approval from the cooperative’s shareholders. The Ireland-based meat processor, Dawn Meats, will invest NZ$250m ($150m) for a 65% interest in Alliance Group under terms that differ slightly from prior media reports. This transaction values Alliance Group at NZ$502m on an enter- prise basis. However, it remains subject to shareholder approval at a meeting scheduled for mid-October, along with the nod from the New Zealand High Court and competition regulators, as not- ed in a joint statement. Alliance Group stated that at least 75% of voting shareholders must accept the deal for it to proceed. The cooperative cautioned that if shareholders reject this proposed investment, characterized as a “stra- tegic partnership” with Dawn Meats, the board may have to explore “possible asset sales, site closures, and further cost-reduction initiatives.” 08 FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESS MAGAZINE NEWSYOUR NEXT CONTRACT IS HELD IN THESE HANDS BUSINESS She isn’t scrolling. She isn’t skipping a pre-roll ad. She’s the Director of Operations for a national food group, and for the next 15 minutes, she is doing one thing: reading. She’s reading about AI, processing, manufacturing, and supply chain innovations that will shape her budget for the next financial year. She’s reading foodandbeverage.business In a world of digital noise, we deliver what marketing budgets crave: genuine, focused engagement with the people who make the critical purchasing decisions. 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